Office politics are one of the mythical aspects of working life that most people cannot truly appreciate until they have experienced their effects first hand. They are the basis of great debacles like Monica Lewinsky’s “relations” with Bill Clinton, as well as great works of art like
The (British) Office. Indeed, as long as you stay out of hot water, office politics are one of the best parts of a job, if only because a classic workplace faux pas has huge comic potential. Just think about it—unless you are the boastful type, you probably don’t go around telling people about what a dope spreadsheet you made at work last week (because you have correctly assumed that no one cares). But when that dude who works on your floor accidentally sends out a company-wide e-mail about his unrequited love for the barista downstairs you will regale anyone who will listen.
Despite their mystique, office politics can be easily navigated with a bit of common sense, confidence, and composure. At the end of the day, most disasters boil down to ambiguous power structures, judgment lapses, and the general awkwardness of human beings. Here’s a quick field guide to social and professional interactions in the workplace:
Gossip Folks. If office romances are a “play it by ear” situation, office gossip is firmly in “don’t play it at all” territory. Listening to the resident gossip-mongers dish the dirt is all very well and good, and you should feel free to take that information home and laugh about it in private. But once you start soliciting or dispensing gossip yourself, Pandora’s box will creak open and unleash a minefield of potential hazards to your good standing in the office. As with life in general, your safest bet is to employ a “don’t trust anyone” strategy. Even if others are making fun of your boss or sending around incendiary e-mails, resist the urge to join in with a zinger of your own. Some people talk recklessly, while others consciously backstab—either way, whatever you say will mysteriously find its way back to you.
Bringing Baggage to the Office. Everybody has problems. But if you don’t hear grown folks complaining about divorces and mortgages, why do you think it’s appropriate to whine about your boyfriend or messy roommate? Water-cooler chatter is one thing, and if you make a friend at work who is willing to listen to your moaning then all the better. Just don’t let non-work related issues affect your productivity or attitude. “Professionalism” means ignoring your emotions and acting like work is literally more important than your own life. (Also, unless people know you are going on vacation, don’t bring literal baggage to the office, either. It will be a dead giveaway when you call in sick the next day.)
Socializing with Coworkers. The sociability of an office varies quite significantly from place to place (and, quite often, from industry to industry). Some investment banks have a fratty “work hard, play hard” approach. Other offices have training programs or “class” systems that attempt to foster strong bonds between coworkers through retreats, volunteer outings, and parties. And, once in a while, people befriend coworkers at normal offices because they actually like them or are just very bored. The thing to remember is this: just because you work with someone does not mean you have to be best friends. Nor does it mean you have to invite him or her to your birthday party. Pay attention to the social dynamics of your office, but realize that you are free to set your own standards and boundaries. Once you’ve proven to be a good worker, no one reasonable person will begrudge you for having your own life outside of the office.
Pushing Back On Your Superiors. The first time you feel you are disrespected or mistreated in the workplace can be a shock to the system and make you want to run to your mom crying. But, depending on the severity, it might be advisable to let it slide before you’ve gauged your boss’s style and expectations. If it becomes habitual and makes you feel uncomfortable, then it is time to talk to HR or speak with a superior. Additionally, it can feel like you are admitting weakness if you say that your workload is too heavy. But again, there comes a time when your boss’s expectations need to be in line with your own. At the end of the day, most people would rather have you speak up and say that you are overwhelmed than end up with an unfinished or shoddy product when the due date arrives. Over time, you’ll get a sense of who will value and reward your hard work and who is just looking to pawn off all the dirty work on you. But when you’re a newcomer, the best course of action is to stiffen that upper lip and work hard enough to earn a good reputation. A good rep, in turn, will allow you to push back down the line without being looked upon suspiciously.
Office Parties. The company Christmas party is a tried and true tradition in most offices around the country, but it is just one beast in an odd menagerie of social events at work. Whether it’s a holiday shindig, Friday happy hour, or a farewell party for a retiring fossil, the same rule applies: don’t get wasted. It seems like it would go without saying, but you’d be surprised at how many bright, hard-working recent graduates embarrass themselves by going overboard on the mixed drinks or failing to gauge their limits. Once you’ve passed the “are you an alcoholic?” litmus test, office party etiquette pretty much boils down to basic standards of sociability. Avoid the obvious taboos in conversation—sex, religion, politics, and off-color jokes. However, don’t feel that you have to only talk about job stuff. Office parties are a great opportunity to interact outside of the structure of “work,” which is often not very conducive to getting to know people. Being sociable at a work party can put you on the radar of someone you don’t know very well or help you impress your boss, both of which can pay dividends back in the office.
Taking Responsibility and Getting Credit. At school, you hand in a paper and you get a grade. Sometimes you get assigned group projects and end up doing all the work while your spaced-out partner reaps the benefits, but at least you still end up with the results on your report card. At work, there is a lot more ambiguity not only in terms of the feedback that you receive, but also in whom takes credit for what. Sometimes a boss might simply make a false assumption about who has completed the work that he or she is receiving, while at other times your superiors will just take credit for your labor in order to make themselves look better. Either way, you’ve got a tricky situation on your hands. Demanding credit for everything you do might not be realistic or even necessary. However, if you are being systematically overlooked, you may want to address the issue head-on. If you go this route, do so calmly and don’t storm in with guns blazing. Ask a mentor or a senior person you have a good relationship with for advice. On the other side of the coin, don’t be the perpetrator of poor professional etiquette—give credit where credit’s due, and take responsibility when your work is queried instead of passing the buck.
Chris Schonberger is editor-in-chief of Gradspot.com and author of Gradspot.com’s Guide to Life After College
, available in paperback at Amazon.com or as an e-book at gradspot.com/book. For more tips and tricks for navigating the transition from college to the real world, visit Gradspot.com.